Ocean Currents

Marine Science Activities for Grades
58

Written by Catherine Halversen, Kevin
Beals, Craig Strang

What causes ocean currents?
What impact do they have on Earth's environment? How have they influenced
human history? Students gain fascinating
insights into our ocean planet through these innovative activities.
They learn how wind, temperature, salinity, and density set water
into motion, and they make an "in-depth" investigation
of the key physical science concept of density. They model how pollution
dumped in one location can spread throughout the ocean. Learning
is placed in a real-world context as students predict and analyze
routes taken by shipwrecked sailors, the 1990 Nike shoe spill, the
raft Kon Tiki, and other voyages. In "Message in a Bottle,"
students create stories to show what they've learned over the course
of the unit.

From the forward by E.C. Haderlie, Distinguished Professor of
Oceanography:"I have read the entire guide and studied all the illustrations
and activities, and am impressed with the accuracy of the text and
the clarity with which complex concepts are presented. In designing
the various hands-on activities for student participation, the authors
have shown considerable ingenuity and imagination."